Caught in the trap of materialism

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#11
Hi Pianist,

I think we share this aspect in common - I am also a "no-frills-phone" kind of guy. I just need one for talking and SMS; not even for listening to radio, mp3 or storing photos! Thus, I will settle for the 2-years free phone as well, even if it is an old model. My current 5.5-year old model is a dinosaur, but it serves me well and I couldn't be happier using it. Big Grin
My Value Investing Blog: http://sgmusicwhiz.blogspot.com/
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#12
(28-12-2010, 02:45 PM)Musicwhiz Wrote: Hi Pianist,

I think we share this aspect in common - I am also a "no-frills-phone" kind of guy. I just need one for talking and SMS; not even for listening to radio, mp3 or storing photos! Thus, I will settle for the 2-years free phone as well, even if it is an old model. My current 5.5-year old model is a dinosaur, but it serves me well and I couldn't be happier using it. Big Grin

Hi MW,

Without any offence to you, I would like to say that if most people were as careful as you in spending, I think our economy will not grow. Tongue Sorry, my comment is not fair as I am sure you will not hesitate to spend on things that are worthwhile to you.

I think for an economy to continue growing, it need these group of people who are willing to spend to continue spending, but only if they know their limit. If to many people get in to the trouble of overspending and build up mountains of debts, than it will be bad socially as well as economically.
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#13
Hi Ben,

Yes you are right! If there are more people like me, the economy will most definitely suffer, haha. Fortunately, what I see is that many people are NOT like me (i.e. changing phones fairly frequently), so I am not worried about our economy any time soon. Tongue

And you have brought up a very good point - if people over-spend then we have social problems.

So can I summarize - if people spend too little, we will have economic woes. If people spend too much, we end up with social issues. So the right balance is for people to spend "just enough". This is the tough part...... Big Grin
My Value Investing Blog: http://sgmusicwhiz.blogspot.com/
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#14
Hahaha, precisely! Maybe not the whole economy but the phone industry will sink for sure. I am worse, I have not changed my phone in let see...8 years now? But am seriously contemplating change to a smartphone.

A smartphone is still ok, in terms of materialism, if the person who earns 2K purchases it does his own saving up(after putting aside for investments/long term savings), dun take up too expensive a plan, and doesn't change the phone at whim. Besides, there are tangible benefits to owning one(eg. reading financial news or check ur online brokerage on the go? heh)

Ever wonder what will happen if the US ppl change from free-spending, debt-piling to high domestic saving like China?
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#15
(28-12-2010, 04:52 PM)Satchmo Wrote: Hahaha, precisely! Maybe not the whole economy but the phone industry will sink for sure. I am worse, I have not changed my phone in let see...8 years now? But am seriously contemplating change to a smartphone.

Wow 8 years? You're good! Tongue

Since most of the new phones offered today (with a 2-year contract) have smart features, you won't be losing out by signing on another contract and getting yourself a new phone. It may not be the most snazzy smart phone, but then again, you and I know we just need the basic features...... Big Grin
My Value Investing Blog: http://sgmusicwhiz.blogspot.com/
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#16
8 years seems a gd long time my kudos & respect to you for being environmental friendly..personally i prefer to change a free phone once every 2 years..on one hand i can get familiar with the tech advance & new feature on the other hand a 2 year old phone may be long enough to be contaminated & manifesting with gems and bacteria..so is not very hygenic..


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#17
Yep, the theme BUY BUY BUY is so prevalent Tongue
There's a sale for every season and reason.
Hmm, even for someone like me who doesn't quite enjoy shopping, also feels the temptation to buy is greater nowadays, so often find myself switching between Camp Prudent & Camp Materialism, haha.
'if I don't need it then, why do I need it now?' has saved me from unnecessary purchases Smile
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#18
On mobile phone and IMHO, if you are certain to continue with the subscription, then you SHOULD get a new phone whenever the contract expires. It is a personal disadvantage (telco advantage) to do nothing and think that you have save some money by not "consuming". The telco has priced the new phone into the subscription.

Take the new phone (the zero dollar ones) and sell it for CASH while continue using the old one.
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#19
(29-12-2010, 04:54 PM)cif5000 Wrote: Take the new phone (the zero dollar ones) and sell it for CASH while continue using the old one.

That's a very good idea - I hadn't thought of that! But if you do this, you must ensure nothing happens to your old phone in the 2 years which you are contracted; otherwise it may be a costly exercise to get a replacement phone!
My Value Investing Blog: http://sgmusicwhiz.blogspot.com/
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#20
(29-12-2010, 05:48 PM)Musicwhiz Wrote:
(29-12-2010, 04:54 PM)cif5000 Wrote: Take the new phone (the zero dollar ones) and sell it for CASH while continue using the old one.
That's a very good idea - I hadn't thought of that! But if you do this, you must ensure nothing happens to your old phone in the 2 years which you are contracted; otherwise it may be a costly exercise to get a replacement phone!
hi cif5000 and MW any recommendation where to sell them for a gd price? i have 4 old phones here collecting dust
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